Movie director Henry Cornelius dies

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The South African born British film director and scriptwriter, Henry Cornelius, died unexpectedly during the production of the crime comedy "Law and Disorder" in 1958. Charles Crichton saw the film to its completion. Cornelius studied under Max Reinhardt and worked with Rene Clair and Alexander Korda before returning to SA in 1940, where he produced several films for General Smuts's pro-war propaganda campaign. Cornelius also made several feature films, which suggested a gift for characterisation and detail and considerable flair for light comedy. His best known efforts are the refreshingly fanciful "Passport to Pimlico" in 1949 and the outstanding lighthearted "Genevieve" in 1953.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Movie director Henry Cornelius dies. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851

South African History Online (2011) 'Movie director Henry Cornelius dies', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851 (Accessed: 5 November 2026).

South African History Online, Movie director Henry Cornelius dies [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851, (accessed 5 November 2026).

"Movie director Henry Cornelius dies." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Movie director Henry Cornelius dies." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851.